WO2020203319A1

WO2020203319A1 - Electrolyzer, method for controlling same, and program

Info

Publication number: WO2020203319A1
Application number: PCT/JP2020/012107
Authority: WO
Inventors: 裕人鈴木; 泰崇穴見; 平田　浩一
Original assignee: 旭化成株式会社
Priority date: 2019-04-01
Filing date: 2020-03-18
Publication date: 2020-10-08
Also published as: KR102571358B1; AU2020255626A1; AU2020255626B2; CA3134517C; JP7058374B2; US20220195613A1; JPWO2020203319A1; CN113661274A; KR20210120078A; CA3134517A1; EP3951019A1; EP3951019A4

Abstract

Provided is an electrolyzer which houses a stack obtained by stacking a plurality of electrolytic cells, wherein by automatically adjusting the position of the locking mechanism of a safety device, the pressing force applied to the stack is maintained. The electrolyzer 1 comprises: a stack 30 obtained by stacking a plurality of electrolytic cells 10 with membranes 20 interposed therebetween; a pressing plate 40 positioned on one end of the stack 30 in the stacking direction; an actuator 50 which generates a pressing force in the stacking direction by moving the pressing plate 40; a safety device 60 which is constituted to maintain the pressing force by having the locking mechanism 63 come into contact with the contact plate 61, thereby hindering the retraction of the pressing plate 40, when the actuator 50 is not operating; and a control device 80 which adjusts the distance between the contact plate 61 and the locking mechanism 63 within a specific range, so as to maintain the pressing force that acts upon the stack 30.

Description

Electrolytic cell and its control method and program

The present invention relates to an electrolytic cell, a control method thereof, and a program.

Conventionally, in order to perform electrolysis (hereinafter referred to as "electrolysis") of an aqueous alkali metal chloride solution such as a saline solution or water, an electrolytic cell containing a laminated body in which a plurality of electrolytic cells are laminated has been used. ing. At present, a technique has been proposed in which the laminated body in the electrolytic cell is pressurized in the stacking direction at a predetermined pressure by a pressurizing machine to suppress leakage of the contents (electrolytic solution, etc.) filled in the electrolytic cell. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

International Publication No. 2012/114915

By the way, in the pressurizing machine as described in Patent Document 1, the pressing force is applied to the laminated body by moving the pressing plate by a hydraulic actuator or the like, but the pressing force is released without the hydraulic actuator operating. In some cases, the pressing plate retracts due to the expansion of the electrolytic cell due to a temperature change or the like. In recent years, in preparation for such a situation, a safety device having a contact plate fixed at a predetermined position and a lock mechanism (including a lock nut) attached to a rod moving with a pressing plate has been provided. When the pressing plate is retracted to some extent, the locking mechanism is brought into contact with the contact plate to prevent the pressing plate from further retracting, thereby adopting a technique for maintaining the pressing force.

However, in the conventional safety device as described above, since the position of the lock mechanism cannot be adjusted automatically, it is necessary to manually and periodically tighten the lock mechanism in order to maintain the pressing force. , The work was complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and is laminated by automatically adjusting the position of the lock mechanism of the safety device in an electrolytic cell containing a laminated body in which a plurality of electrolytic cells are laminated. The purpose is to maintain the pressing force applied to the body.

In order to achieve the above object, the electrolytic cell according to the present invention is arranged in a laminate in which a plurality of electrolytic cells having an anode chamber and a cathode chamber are laminated via a diaphragm and at least one end side in the lamination direction of the laminate. The pressing plate, the actuator that generates pressing pressure along the stacking direction by moving the pressing plate, the contact plate arranged at a predetermined position, and the pressing plate are attached so as to extend in the stacking direction. It has a rod that moves relative to the contact plate together with the pressing plate, and a lock mechanism attached to the rod. When the actuator does not operate, the lock mechanism comes into contact with the contact plate and the rod and the pressing plate The distance between the safety device configured to maintain the pressing force by preventing the retreat of the stack and the locking mechanism and the contact plate to maintain the pressing force acting on the laminate is within a certain range. It is provided with a control device for adjusting. Further, the method for producing an electrolysis product according to the present invention is a method for producing an electrolysis product by supplying a raw material to the present electrolytic cell and performing electrolysis.

Further, the control method according to the present invention includes a laminate in which a plurality of electrolytic cells having an anode chamber and a cathode chamber are laminated via a diaphragm, and a pressing plate arranged at least on one end side in the lamination direction of the laminate. An actuator that generates pressing force along the stacking direction by moving the pressing plate, a contact plate arranged at a predetermined position, and a contact plate attached to the pressing plate so as to extend in the stacking direction and contact with the pressing plate. It has a rod that moves relative to the plate and a lock mechanism attached to the rod, and when the actuator does not operate, the lock mechanism abuts on the contact plate to prevent the rod and the pressing plate from retracting. This is a control method for an electrolytic cell including a safety device configured to maintain a pressing force, and the control device is a locking mechanism and an abutting plate so as to maintain the pressing force acting on the laminate. It includes a control step of adjusting the distance between them within a specific range.

Further, in the program according to the present invention, a laminate in which a plurality of electrolytic cells having an anode chamber and a cathode chamber are laminated via a diaphragm, and a pressing plate arranged at least one end side in the lamination direction of the laminate are pressed. An actuator that generates a pressing force along the stacking direction by moving the plates, a contact plate arranged at a predetermined position, and a contact plate attached to the pressing plate so as to extend in the stacking direction and together with the pressing plate. It has a rod that moves relative to the rod and a lock mechanism attached to the rod, and when the actuator does not operate, the lock mechanism abuts on the contact plate to prevent the rod and the pressing plate from retreating. A program that causes a computer to execute a process group for controlling an electrolytic cell equipped with a safety device configured to maintain a pressing force, and the process group is to maintain the pressing force acting on the laminate. The control device includes a control step of adjusting the distance between the locking mechanism and the contact plate within a specific range.

By adopting such a configuration and method, when the actuator does not operate, the locking mechanism of the safety device abuts on the contact plate to prevent the rod and the pressing plate from retreating, so that the pressing force can be maintained. At this time, even when the electrolytic cell expands and contracts due to a temperature change or the like, the control device automatically adjusts the distance between the lock mechanism and the abutting plate within a specific range, so that the laminated body The pressing force acting on the pressure can be maintained at a predetermined value (for example, 10 kg / cm ² ) or more. Therefore, even when the actuator is not operated, an appropriate pressing force can be maintained without human intervention, and leakage of the liquid filled inside the electrolytic cell can be prevented. The lock mechanism may include a lock nut.

In the electrolytic cell according to the present invention, the control device can adjust the position of the lock mechanism and / or the contact plate so as to maintain the pressing force acting on the laminated body at 10 kg / cm ² or more. Further, in the control method (program) of the electrolytic cell according to the present invention, in the control step, the control device is a lock mechanism and / or a contact plate so as to maintain the pressing force acting on the laminated body at 10 kg / cm ² or more. The position can be adjusted.

In the electrolytic cell according to the present invention, the control device determines the distance between the lock mechanism and the abutting plate by the following equation (1):
C _MAX (mm / cell) = Seal surface pressure during electrolysis (kg / cm ² ) x 0.011-0.108 ... (1)
The position of the locking mechanism and / or the abutting plate can be adjusted so as to maintain the maximum clearance per cell calculated in _CMAX or less. Further, in the control method (program) of the electrolytic cell according to the present invention, in the control step, the distance between the lock mechanism and the contact plate is equal to or less than the maximum clearance C _MAX per cell calculated by the above formula (1). The control device can adjust the position of the locking mechanism and / or the abutment plate so as to maintain.

In the electrolytic cell according to the present invention, the control device can adjust the position of the lock mechanism and / or the contact plate so as to maintain the distance between the lock mechanism and the contact plate at 7 mm or less. Further, in the control method (program) of the electrolytic cell according to the present invention, in the control step, the control device sets the lock mechanism and / or the contact plate so as to maintain the distance between the lock mechanism and the contact plate at 7 mm or less. The position of can be adjusted.

In the electrolytic cell according to the present invention, the control device can move the lock mechanism and / or the contact plate at a speed of 4.5 mm / h or more. Further, in the control method (program) of the electrolytic cell according to the present invention, in the control step, the control device can move the lock mechanism and / or the contact plate at a speed of 4.5 mm / h or more.

In the electrolytic cell according to the present invention, a sensor for detecting a change in the position of the lock mechanism due to the movement of the pressing plate can be further provided. In such a case, the control device keeps the distance between the lock mechanism and the contact plate within a specific range so as to maintain the pressing force acting on the laminate based on the position change of the lock mechanism detected by the sensor. Can be adjusted. Further, in the electrolytic cell control method (program) according to the present invention, a detection step of detecting a change in the position of the lock mechanism due to the movement of the pressing plate with a sensor can be further included. In such a case, in the control step, the control device specifies the distance between the lock mechanism and the contact plate so as to maintain the pressing force acting on the laminated body based on the position change of the lock mechanism detected in the detection step. It can be adjusted within the range of.

According to the present invention, in an electrolytic cell storing a laminated body in which a plurality of electrolytic cells are laminated, the pressing force applied to the laminated body is maintained by automatically adjusting the position of the lock mechanism of the safety device. Is possible.

It is a simplified block diagram for demonstrating the structure of the electrolytic cell which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is an exploded perspective view of the electrolytic cell which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the electrolytic cell of the electrolytic cell which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which two electrolytic cells shown in FIG. 3 are connected in series. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the gasket arranged between two electrolytic cells shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the structure of the safety device of the electrolytic cell which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the structure of the control apparatus and the like of the electrolytic cell which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a graph which shows the correlation between the seal surface pressure at the time of electrolysis and the maximum clearance per cell. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the control method of the electrolytic cell which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are merely suitable application examples, and the scope of application of the present invention is not limited thereto.

First, the configuration of the electrolytic cell 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. As shown in FIG. 1, the electrolytic cell 1 according to the present embodiment includes a laminated body 30 in which a plurality of electrolytic cells 10 are laminated via a diaphragm 20.

As shown in FIG. 3, the electrolytic cells 10 constituting the laminated body 30 are installed in the anode chamber 11, the cathode chamber 12, the partition wall 13 installed between the anode chamber 11 and the cathode chamber 12, and the anode chamber 11. It has an anode 11a and a cathode 12a installed in the cathode chamber 12. The cathode chamber 12 further includes a current collector 12b, a support 12c that supports the current collector 12b, and a metal elastic body 12d. The metal elastic body 12d is installed between the current collector 12b and the cathode 12a. The support 12c is installed between the current collector 12b and the partition wall 13. The current collector 12b is electrically connected to the cathode 12a via the metal elastic body 12d. The partition wall 13 is electrically connected to the current collector 12b via the support 12c. Therefore, the partition wall 13, the support 12c, the current collector 12b, the metal elastic body 12d, and the cathode 12a are electrically connected. The entire surface of the cathode 12a is preferably coated with a catalyst layer for the reduction reaction. Further, in the form of electrical connection, the partition wall 13 and the support 12c, the support 12c and the current collector 12b, the current collector 12b and the metal elastic body 12d are directly attached, and the cathode 12a is laminated on the metal elastic body 12d. It may be in the form of being. As a method of directly attaching each of these constituent members to each other, welding or the like can be mentioned.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of two adjacent electrolytic cells 10 in the electrolytic cell 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the electrolytic cell 10, the diaphragm (ion exchange membrane) 20, and the electrolytic cell 10 are arranged in series in this order. A diaphragm 20 is arranged between the anode chamber 11 of one electrolytic cell 10 and the cathode chamber 12 of the other electrolytic cell 10 of the two adjacent electrolytic cells 10 in the electrolytic cell 1. That is, the anode chamber 11 of the electrolytic cell 10 and the cathode chamber 12 of the electrolytic cell 10 adjacent thereto are separated by a diaphragm 20.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electrolytic cell 1 is configured such that a plurality of electrolytic cells 10 connected in series via a diaphragm 20 are supported by an electrolytic cell frame 2. That is, the electrolytic cell 1 in the present embodiment includes a plurality of electrolytic cells 10 arranged in series, a diaphragm 20 arranged between adjacent electrolytic cells 10, and an electrolytic cell frame 2 supporting them. It is a multi-pole electrolytic cell. As shown in FIG. 2, the electrolytic cell 1 is assembled by arranging a plurality of electrolytic cells 10 in series via a diaphragm 20 and pressurizing and connecting them by a pressing plate 40 (described later) of a pressurizing machine. The configuration of the electrolytic cell frame 2 is not particularly limited as long as it can support and connect each member, and various aspects can be adopted.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electrolytic cell 1 includes an anode terminal 3 and a cathode terminal 4 connected to a power source. The anode 11a of the electrolytic cell 10 located at the end of the plurality of electrolytic cells 10 connected in series in the electrolytic cell 1 is electrically connected to the anode terminal 3. Of the plurality of electrolytic cells 10 connected in series in the electrolytic cell 1, the cathode 12a of the electrolytic cell 10 located at the opposite end of the anode terminal 3 is electrically connected to the cathode terminal 4. The current during electrolysis flows from the anode terminal 3 side toward the cathode terminal 4 via the anode and the cathode of each electrolytic cell 10. An electrolytic cell having only an anode chamber (anode terminal cell) and an electrolytic cell having only a cathode chamber (cathode terminal cell) may be arranged at both ends of the connected electrolytic cells 10. In this case, the anode terminal 3 is connected to the anode terminal cell arranged at one end thereof, and the cathode terminal 4 is connected to the cathode terminal cell arranged at the other end.

When electrolyzing salt water, salt water (raw material) is supplied to each anode chamber 11, and pure water or a low-concentration sodium hydroxide aqueous solution (raw material) is supplied to the cathode chamber 12. Each liquid is supplied to each electrolytic solution cell 10 from an electrolytic solution supply pipe (not shown) via an electrolytic solution supply hose (not shown). Further, the electrolytic solution and the product obtained by electrolysis are recovered from an electrolytic solution recovery tube (not shown). In electrolysis, sodium ions in salt water move from the anode chamber 11 of one electrolysis cell 10 to the cathode chamber 12 of the adjacent electrolysis cell 10 through the diaphragm 20. Therefore, the current during electrolysis flows along the direction (stacking direction) in which the electrolysis cells 10 are connected in series. That is, the current flows from the anode chamber 11 to the cathode chamber 12 through the diaphragm 20. With the electrolysis of salt water, chlorine gas is generated on the anode 11a side, and sodium hydroxide (solute) and hydrogen gas are generated on the cathode 12a side. The chlorine gas, sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas produced correspond to the electrolytic products in the present invention.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the anode side gasket 14 is arranged on the surface of the frame body constituting the anode chamber 11, and the cathode side gasket 15 is arranged on the surface of the frame body forming the cathode chamber 12. ing. The electrolytic cells 10 are connected to each other so that the anode-side gasket 14 included in one electrolytic cell 10 and the cathode-side gasket 15 of the electrolytic cell 10 adjacent thereto sandwich the diaphragm 20. With these gaskets, when a plurality of electrolytic cells 10 are connected in series via the diaphragm 20, airtightness can be imparted to the connection points.

Gaskets

14 and 15 function to seal between the electrolytic cell 10 and the diaphragm 20. Specific examples of the

gaskets

14 and 15 include a frame-shaped rubber sheet having an opening formed in the center. The

gaskets

14 and 15 are required to have resistance to corrosive electrolytes, generated gases, and the like, and to be used for a long period of time. Therefore, from the viewpoint of chemical resistance and hardness, vulcanized products of ethylene / propylene / diene rubber (EPDM rubber), vulcanized products of ethylene / propylene rubber (EPM rubber), cross-linked peroxide products, etc. are usually used as

gaskets

14 and 15. .. If necessary, use a gasket in which the region in contact with the liquid (contact portion) is coated with a fluororesin such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or tetrafluoroethylene / perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer (PFA). You can also. Each of the

gaskets

14 and 15 may have an opening so as not to obstruct the flow of the electrolytic solution, and the shape thereof is not particularly limited. For example, frame-shaped

gaskets

14 and 15 are attached with an adhesive or the like along the peripheral edge of each opening of the anode chamber frame forming the anode chamber 11 or the cathode chamber frame forming the cathode chamber 12. Then, for example, when two electrolytic cells 10 are connected via the diaphragm 20 (see FIG. 4), each electrolytic cell 10 to which the

gaskets

14 and 15 are attached may be tightened via the diaphragm 20. As a result, it is possible to prevent the electrolytic solution and electrolytic products such as alkali metal hydroxide, chlorine gas, and hydrogen gas generated by electrolysis from leaking to the outside of the electrolytic cell 10.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the electrolytic cell 1 according to the present embodiment generates a pressing force along the stacking direction by moving the pressing plate 40 that applies pressing force to the laminated body 30 and the pressing plate 40. It includes an actuator 50. The pressing plate 40 is a part of the pressurizing machine, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is arranged on the anode terminal 3 side in the stacking direction of the laminated body 30 and presses the laminated body 30 toward the cathode terminal 4. It fulfills the function. The actuator 50 functions to generate a pressing force along the stacking direction by moving the pressing plate 40. In this embodiment, a hydraulic cylinder operated by hydraulic pressure is adopted as the actuator 50.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the electrolytic cell 1 according to the present embodiment includes a safety device 60 configured to maintain a pressing force acting on the laminated body 30 when the actuator 50 does not operate. The safety device 60 is attached to the abutting plate 61 arranged (fixed) at a predetermined position and the pressing plate 40 so as to extend in the laminating direction of the laminated body 30, and is attached to the abutting plate 61 together with the pressing plate 40. It has a rod 62 that moves relatively and a lock mechanism 63 attached to the rod 62. During the normal operation of the electrolytic cell 1, a predetermined pressing force can be applied to the laminated body 30 by the pressing plate 40 by operating the actuator 50. On the other hand, when the actuator 50 does not operate due to the fact that the power source is not supplied to the actuator 50 or the like, the pressing plate 40 may retract due to the expansion of the electrolytic cell 10 due to a temperature change or the like. Although it may occur, even if such a situation occurs, as shown in FIG. 6, the lock mechanism 63 of the safety device 60 comes into contact with the contact plate 61 to prevent the rod 62 and the pressing plate 40 from retreating. , It becomes possible to maintain the pressing force acting on the laminated body 30. The lock mechanism 63 has a lock nut and the like.

Here, when the electrolytic cell 10 contracts due to a temperature change or the like, the pressing plate 40, the rod 62, and the lock mechanism 63 move in the direction opposite to the contact plate 61, and the lock mechanism 63 and the contact plate 61 There may be a gap between the two. In such a situation, the pressing force acting on the laminated body 30 when the actuator 50 is not operated may decrease, and leakage of the electrolytic solution or the electrolytic product may occur. In order to prevent such a situation, conventionally, the operator has periodically performed the work of tightening the lock mechanism 63 and moving it to the contact plate 61 side. However, since such work is complicated, a technique for automatically tightening the lock mechanism 63 (automatically adjusting the position of the lock mechanism 63) has been desired.

Therefore, the electrolytic cell 1 according to the present embodiment is provided with a mechanism for automatically adjusting the position of the lock mechanism 63 of the safety device 60. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the electrolytic cell 1 is laminated based on the position change of the lock mechanism 63 detected by the sensor 70 and the sensor 70 that detects the position change of the lock mechanism 63 due to the movement of the pressing plate 40. It includes a control device 80 that adjusts the position of the lock mechanism 63 so as to maintain the pressing force acting on the body 30. At this time, in order to maintain the pressing force acting on the laminated body 30, it is necessary to adjust the distance between the lock mechanism 63 and the contact plate 61 within a specific range. In addition to adjusting the position of the lock mechanism 63, the distance between the lock mechanism 63 and the contact plate 61 may be adjusted based on the position change of the stroke of the pressing plate 40 or a specific cell or actuator.

The sensor 70 has, for example, a pair of light emitting elements and a light receiving element arranged so as to sandwich the lock mechanism 63, and locks by receiving the light emitted from the light emitting element toward the lock mechanism 63 by the light receiving element. A configuration for detecting the position change of the mechanism 63 can be adopted, but the configuration is not particularly limited to such a configuration, and any configuration that can detect the position change of the lock mechanism 63 may be adopted.

The control device 80 includes a computer having a memory, a CPU, and the like for recording various programs and various data. The control device 80 in the present embodiment receives information regarding the position change of the lock mechanism 63 sent from the sensor 70, generates a control signal based on the received information, outputs the control signal to the motor 90, and drives the motor 90. The lock nut 63 is moved with respect to the rod 62 via the chain 91 to adjust the position of the lock mechanism 63, thereby functioning to maintain the pressing force acting on the laminated body 30.

The control device 80 in the present embodiment adjusts the position of the lock mechanism 63 so as to maintain the pressing force acting on the laminated body 30 at 10 kg / cm ² or more. Further, in the control device 80 according to the present embodiment, the distance between the lock mechanism 63 and the contact plate 61 is set to the following equation (1):
C _MAX (mm / cell) = Seal surface pressure during electrolysis (kg / cm ² ) x 0.011-0.108 ... (1)
The position of the lock mechanism 63 is adjusted so as to maintain the C _MAX (maximum clearance per cell) calculated in 1. The graph of FIG. 8 is a graph showing the correlation between the sealing surface pressure (kg / cm ² ) during electrolysis and the maximum clearance (leakage clearance) (mm / cell) per cell, and is a graph showing the correlation during electrolysis. The measurement results when the seal surface pressure is taken on the horizontal axis (x-axis) and the maximum clearance per cell is taken on the vertical axis (y-axis) are plotted. Equation (1) corresponds to an approximate equation calculated based on the graph of FIG.

Further, the control device 80 adjusts the position of the lock mechanism 63 so that the distance between the lock mechanism 63 and the contact plate 61 is maintained at 7 mm or less based on the position change of the lock mechanism 63 detected by the sensor 70. Is preferable. As the distance between the lock mechanism 63 and the contact plate 61 increases, the thickness of the gaskets 14 and 15 (see FIG. 5) when the actuator is not operated increases, the sealing pressure decreases, and the electrolytic cell 10 There is a possibility that the liquid filled inside may leak, but according to the experiment of the inventor of the present application, by maintaining the distance between the lock mechanism 63 and the abutting plate 61 of 7 mm or less, the laminate 30 has a possibility of leaking. It has been clarified that the pressing force acting can be maintained at 10 kg / cm ² or more, and the leakage of the liquid filled inside the electrolytic cell 10 can be prevented.

In the present embodiment, the minimum value of the pressing force acting on the laminated body 30 is set to "10 kg / cm ² ", but the maximum value of the pressing force acting on the laminated body 30 is the scale of the electrolytic cell 1 or the maximum value. It can be set appropriately (for example, about 70 kg / cm ² ) in consideration of the specifications, the specifications of the

gaskets

14 and 15, the period of use, and the like. Further, the control device 80 in the present embodiment sets the lock mechanism 63 at a speed of 4.5 mm / h or more in consideration of the creep speed of the gaskets 14 and 15 (the thickness gradually decreases due to the pressing force). It works to move with.

Next, the control method of the electrolytic cell 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The operator maintains the operating state of the safety device 60, the sensor 70, and the control device 80 even when the operation of the actuator 50 of the electrolytic cell 1 is stopped. Then, the sensor 70 detects the position change of the lock mechanism 63 due to the movement of the pressing plate 40 due to the temperature change or the like (detection step: S1). Next, the control device 80 adjusts the position of the lock mechanism 63 so as to maintain the pressing force acting on the laminated body 30 based on the position change of the lock mechanism 63 detected in the detection step S1 (control step: S2). In the control step S2, the control device 80 moves the lock mechanism 63 at a speed of 4.5 mm / h or more.

For example, the distance between the lock mechanism 63 and the contact plate 61 at the time when the operation of the actuator 50 was stopped was 10 mm, whereas the lock mechanism 63 was moved to the contact plate 61 side due to the expansion of the electrolytic cell 10. When the sensor 70 detects that the distance between the lock mechanism 63 and the contact plate 61 has become 6 mm as a result of moving 4 mm, the control device 80 moves between the lock mechanism 63 and the contact plate 61. When the distance is equal to or less than the maximum clearance C _MAX shown in the equation (1), it is determined that the movement of the lock mechanism 63 is unnecessary, and the position of the lock mechanism 63 is not adjusted. On the other hand, after that, the lock mechanism 63 moved 3 mm in the direction opposite to the contact plate 61 due to the contraction of the electrolytic cell 10, and as a result, the distance between the lock mechanism 63 and the contact plate 61 became _{equal to} or more than the maximum clearance CMAX. when detected by the sensor 70 that the control unit 80 moves the lock mechanism 63 to the contact plate 61 side to the distance between the locking mechanism 63 and the contact plate 61 is equal to or smaller than the maximum clearance C _MAX The pressing force acting on the laminate 30 is maintained at 10 kg / cm ² or more.

The control device 80 maintains the pressing force acting on the laminated body 30 at 10 kg / cm ² or more even when the distance between the lock mechanism 63 and the contact plate 61 is the maximum clearance _CMAX or less. The position of the lock mechanism 63 can also be adjusted. That is, a target value (target distance) of the distance between the lock mechanism 63 and the contact plate 61 is set within the range of 0 to C _MAX , and the control device 80 is set so that the actual distance becomes the target distance. Can adjust the position of the lock mechanism 63. For example, when the target value (target distance) of the distance between the lock mechanism 63 and the contact plate 61 is set to 4 mm and the distance detected by the sensor 70 is 3.5 mm, the control device 80 locks. The lock mechanism 63 can be moved by outputting a control signal to the motor 90 that increases the distance between the nut 63 and the contact plate 61 by 0.5 mm.

In the electrolytic cell 1 according to the embodiment described above, when the actuator 50 does not operate, the lock mechanism 63 of the safety device 60 comes into contact with the contact plate 61 to prevent the rod 62 and the pressing plate 40 from retreating. The pressing force can be maintained. At this time, even when the electrolytic cell 10 expands and contracts due to a temperature change or the like, the control device 80 automatically adjusts the position of the lock mechanism 63 to obtain a predetermined pressing force acting on the laminated body 30. It can be maintained above the value (10 kg / cm ² ). Therefore, even when the actuator 50 does not operate, an appropriate pressing force can be maintained without human intervention, and leakage of the liquid filled inside the electrolytic cell 10 can be prevented.

In the above embodiment, the contact plate 61 of the safety device 60 is fixed at a predetermined position, while the pressing force acting on the laminated body 30 is maintained by moving the "lock mechanism 63". Although an example is shown, the position of the "contact plate 61" is configured so that the "contact plate 61" can be moved, and instead of moving the lock mechanism 63 (or in addition to moving the lock mechanism 63). It is also possible to maintain the pressing force acting on the laminated body 30 by adjusting.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and those skilled in the art with appropriate design changes are also included in the scope of the present invention as long as they have the features of the present invention. .. That is, each element included in the embodiment and its arrangement, material, condition, shape, size, etc. are not limited to those exemplified, and can be appropriately changed. In addition, the elements included in the embodiment can be combined as much as technically possible, and the combination thereof is also included in the scope of the present invention as long as the features of the present invention are included.

1 ... Electrolytic cell 10 ... Electrolytic cell 11 ... Anode chamber 12 ... Cathode chamber 20 ... Diaphragm 30 ... Laminated body 40 ... Press plate 50 ... Actuator 60 ... Safety device 61 ... Contact plate 62 ... Rod 63 ... Lock mechanism 70 ... Sensor 80 … Control device S1… Detection process S2… Control process

Claims

A laminate in which a plurality of electrolytic cells having an anode chamber and a cathode chamber are laminated via a diaphragm, and
A pressing plate arranged at least on one end side in the stacking direction of the laminated body,
An actuator that generates a pressing force along the stacking direction by moving the pressing plate, and an actuator.
A contact plate arranged at a predetermined position, a rod attached to the pressing plate so as to extend in the stacking direction and moving relative to the contact plate together with the pressing plate, and a rod attached to the rod. The locking mechanism is provided, and when the actuator does not operate, the locking mechanism abuts on the abutting plate to prevent the rod and the pressing plate from retreating, thereby maintaining the pressing force. With the configured safety device
A control device that adjusts the distance between the lock mechanism and the contact plate within a specific range so as to maintain the pressing force acting on the laminate.
An electrolytic cell.
The electrolytic cell according to claim 1, wherein the control device adjusts the positions of the lock mechanism and / or the abutting plate so as to maintain the pressing force acting on the laminated body at 10 kg / cm 2 or more.
The control device determines the distance between the lock mechanism and the contact plate according to the following equation (1):
C MAX (mm / cell) = Seal surface pressure during electrolysis (kg / cm 2 ) x 0.011-0.108 ... (1)
The electrolytic cell according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the position of the lock mechanism and / or the contact plate is adjusted so as to maintain the maximum clearance per cell calculated in the above CMAX or less.
Any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control device adjusts the position of the lock mechanism and / or the contact plate so as to maintain the distance between the lock mechanism and the contact plate to 7 mm or less. The electrolytic cell according to item 1.
The electrolytic cell according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control device moves the lock mechanism and / or the contact plate at a speed of 4.5 mm / h or more.
The electrolytic cell according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the lock mechanism includes a lock nut.
A sensor for detecting a change in the position of the lock mechanism due to the movement of the pressing plate is provided.
Based on the position change of the lock mechanism detected by the sensor, the control device sets a specific range of the distance between the lock mechanism and the contact plate so as to maintain the pressing force acting on the laminate. The electrolytic cell according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which is adjusted within.
A laminate in which a plurality of electrolytic cells having an anode chamber and a cathode chamber are laminated via a diaphragm, and
A pressing plate arranged at least on one end side in the stacking direction of the laminated body,
An actuator that generates a pressing force along the stacking direction by moving the pressing plate, and an actuator.
A contact plate arranged at a predetermined position, a rod attached to the pressing plate so as to extend in the stacking direction and moving relative to the contact plate together with the pressing plate, and a rod attached to the rod. The locking mechanism is provided, and when the actuator does not operate, the locking mechanism abuts on the abutting plate to prevent the rod and the pressing plate from retreating, thereby maintaining the pressing force. With the configured safety device
It is a control method of an electrolytic cell provided with
A method for controlling an electrolytic cell, comprising a control step in which a control device adjusts a distance between the lock mechanism and the contact plate within a specific range so as to maintain a pressing force acting on the laminate.
The eighth aspect of the present invention, wherein in the control step, the control device adjusts the positions of the lock mechanism and / or the contact plate so as to maintain the pressing force acting on the laminate at 10 kg / cm 2 or more. How to control the electrolytic cell.
In the control step, the distance between the lock mechanism and the contact plate is determined by the following equation (1):
C MAX (mm / cell) = Seal surface pressure during electrolysis (kg / cm 2 ) x 0.011-0.108 ... (1)
The electrolytic cell according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the control device adjusts the positions of the lock mechanism and / or the abutting plate so as to maintain the maximum clearance per cell calculated in the above CMAX or less. Control method.
According to claim 8, in the control step, the control device adjusts the positions of the lock mechanism and / or the contact plate so as to maintain the distance between the lock mechanism and the contact plate to 7 mm or less. 10. The method for controlling an electrolytic cell according to any one of items 10.
The method for controlling an electrolytic cell according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein in the control step, the control device moves the lock mechanism and / or the contact plate at a speed of 4.5 mm / h or more. ..
The method for controlling an electrolytic cell according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the lock mechanism includes a lock nut.
It further includes a detection step of detecting a change in the position of the lock mechanism with a sensor due to the movement of the pressing plate.
In the control step, based on the position change of the lock mechanism detected in the detection step, the control device betweens the lock mechanism and the contact plate so as to maintain the pressing force acting on the laminate. The method for controlling an electrolytic cell according to any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein the distance is adjusted within a specific range.
A laminate in which a plurality of electrolytic cells having an anode chamber and a cathode chamber are laminated via a diaphragm, and
A pressing plate arranged at least on one end side in the stacking direction of the laminated body,
An actuator that generates a pressing force along the stacking direction by moving the pressing plate, and an actuator.
A contact plate arranged at a predetermined position, a rod attached to the pressing plate so as to extend in the stacking direction and moving relative to the contact plate together with the pressing plate, and a rod attached to the rod. The locking mechanism is provided, and when the actuator does not operate, the locking mechanism abuts on the abutting plate to prevent the rod and the pressing plate from retreating, thereby maintaining the pressing force. With the configured safety device
It is a program that causes a computer to execute a group of processes for controlling an electrolytic cell.
The process group
A program comprising a control step in which a control device adjusts the distance between the locking mechanism and the abutting plate within a specific range so as to maintain a pressing force acting on the laminate.
15. The 15th aspect of the control step, wherein the control device adjusts the positions of the lock mechanism and / or the abutting plate so as to maintain the pressing force acting on the laminated body at 10 kg / cm 2 or more. program.
In the control step, the distance between the lock mechanism and the contact plate is determined by the following equation (1):
C MAX (mm / cell) = Seal surface pressure during electrolysis (kg / cm 2 ) x 0.011-0.108 ... (1)
The program according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the control device adjusts the position of the locking mechanism and / or the abutting plate so as to maintain the maximum clearance C MAX or less per cell calculated in.
According to claim 15, in the control step, the control device adjusts the positions of the lock mechanism and / or the contact plate so as to maintain the distance between the lock mechanism and the contact plate to 7 mm or less. The program according to any one of 17.
The program according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein in the control step, the control device moves the lock mechanism and / or the contact plate at a speed of 4.5 mm / h or more.
The program according to any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the lock mechanism includes a lock nut.
The process group further includes a detection step of detecting a change in the position of the lock mechanism with a sensor due to the movement of the pressing plate.
In the control step, the control device betweens the lock mechanism and the contact plate so as to maintain the pressing force acting on the laminate based on the position change of the lock mechanism detected in the detection step. The program according to any one of claims 15 to 20, which adjusts the distance within a specific range.
A method for producing an electrolysis product by supplying a raw material to the electrolytic cell according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and performing electrolysis.